Osmia Publications Ltd 2003 PAL/VHS version. Running time 31 minutes. (VID26). Of the 255 bee species in the UK the most common and widespread is the red mason bee Osmia rufa. Nesting in the stems of plants, in wood borings or even nail holes, one of these largely unnoticed bees is said to do the pollinatory work of 120 honeybees. The female red mason bee lives for only 4-6 weeks during which time she builds three or four nests, holding an average of ten cells, each cell containing one developing bee. Mud is used as building material to make and seal individual cells within the nest. The mud is transported from the collection site to the nest as tiny balls, balanced on the 'horns'on the top of the female's head. To make one cell requires six trips to the mud collection point. An entertaining and clearly explained insight into the life of this valuable insect.